Improvement in knapsacks



J. W. FRAZIER.

Improvement in Knapsacks.

N0.123,885, Patented Feb.20,1872.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH W. FRAZIER, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

IMPROVEMENT IN KNAPSACKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 123,885, dated February 20, 187-2.

Specification describing Combined Knapsack and Cartridge-Blocks, invented by JosEPH W. FRAZIER, of Newark, Essex county, New Jersey.

Combined Kmtpsack and Cartridge-Blocks.

My invention consists of a knapsack and cartridge-blocks relatively constructed, substantially in the manner described hereafter, so as to enable a soldier to carry into action an extra supply of ammunition without inconveniently loading his cartridge-box.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an open knapsack, illustrating the disposition of ammunition-blocks within the same; and Fig. 2, a perspective view of the cartridge-blocks, removed from the knapsack, prior to being introduced into a cartridge-box.

When the muzzleloading musket was the common infantry weapon, the old-fashioned cartridgebox was of suflicient capacity to hold ammunition enough for an ordinary. action; but the use of breech-loaders, and the rapid firing demanded by modern warfare, render the ordinary cartridgebox totally inadequate for the supply of ammunition required for an ordinary infantry soldier. To increase the dimensions and weight of the present cartridgebox, however, would seriously incommode the soldier andinterfere with the free movement of his limbs in marching. The only way of disposing of the extra ammunition demanded by modern warfare, with any degree of comfort to the soldier, I have found to be in the knapsack, as the extra weight can be more easily supported by the shoulders than by any other part of the body; hence my invention, which relates to the construction of the cartridge-blocks and to the disposal of the same in the knapsack, and which I will now proceed to describe.

In Fig. 2, A and A are two wooden blocks, each having a number of receptacles for cartridges, the two blocks being hinged together at a, and secured at the opposite end by a hook, b, or other suitable fastening. The cartridges in the lower block are held in place by a strap, 13, attached at d to one end of the block, and

buttoned to the opposite end, as shown in the drawing. The two blocks are together of such dimensions as to fit into an ordinary cartridgebox, or into the box for which I have made a separate application for a patent, the latter box being of about the same dimensions and holding about the same weight of ammunition as a common box. The knapsack D is constructed in the ordinary manner, with the usual flaps, straps, 850.; but care is taken to make it of such dimensions from the top 0 to the bottom f that two cartridge-blocks when folded out, as shown, will fit snugly between the said top and bottom of the knapsack. Four blocks are disposed of in the knapsack, one pair hinged together on each side, while the intervening space between the blocks may be devoted to clothing, 850. Each pair of blocks may be retained in place within the knapsack by a strap, h, as shown in Fig. 1, or by any other suitable attachments. By thus disposing of the cartridge-blocks within the knapsack, they serve as strengthening-ribs for the same,and tend to maintain it in a more compact condition than that in which an ordinary knapsack can be retained; at the same time lighter and cheaper leather than usual may be employed in the construction of the knapsack, owing to the presence of these strengthening-ribs.

The soldier, in going into action, carries one hundred and twenty rounds of cartridgesforty in the blocks A and A contained in his cartridge-box, and eighty in his knapsack. When the cartridges in the upper block A are exhausted, the soldier reverses the blocks in his cartridge-box, and after consuming the cartridges in the lower block A both blocks are removed from the box and replaced by another pair of loaded blocks taken from the knapsack, while the empty blocks take the place of those removed from the knapsack. In like manner, when the cartridges in the second pair of blocks are consumed, a third pair from the knapsack is placed in the cartridge-box, and the empty second pair placed in the knapsack.

It will be seen Without further description that, although my invention enables a soldier to carry three times as much ammunition as usual, his cartridge-box is never inconveniently loaded.

I do not here claim the cartridge-block,

In testimony whereof I have signed myname to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

which forms the subject of a separate applica- JOSEPH W. FRAZIER. tion for Letters Patent; but

I claim as my invention-- Witnesses:

Aknapsack and cartridge-blocks, relatively H. HOWSON, constructed and adapted for use substantially J NO. B. HARDING.

as described for the purpose specified. 

